Destiny 2 is a massively popular game with a dedicated player base of over a million players. One of the standout features of the game is its wide range of weapons, and in particular, its hand cannons. Hand cannons are a beloved weapon type in the game, known for their high damage and satisfying gameplay.
In this article, we will be presenting our Destiny 2 Hand Cannon Tier List for 2023. We have carefully curated this list based on our personal experience with the game and the performance of each hand cannon.
S Tier
The S tier is the highest tier in our ranking system. Hand cannons in this tier are considered to be the absolute best, with exceptional versatility, firepower, and overall effectiveness.
Bottom Dollar
Bottom Dollar is a legendary hand cannon introduced in the Season of the Chosen. It is a 120 RPM hand cannon with incredible stats and a wide range of perks. Its standout perk combination is Rapid Hit and Multi-Kill Clip, allowing it to dish out massive damage. Bottom Dollar’s excellent barrel options further enhance its stats, making it a top choice for any Destiny 2 player.
Igneous Hammer
Igneous Hammer is a 120 RPM hand cannon that was introduced in the Trials of Osiris loot pool. It offers a deadly combination of stability, range, and handling. With the right perks, such as Opening Shot or Rangefinder, Igneous Hammer becomes a formidable weapon in both PvP and PvE. It has earned its place in the S tier due to its fantastic overall performance.
Sturm
Sturm is a unique hand cannon that stands out from the rest. It is a 120 RPM hand cannon with excellent base stats and a distinctive exotic perk, “Accomplice.” This perk allows Sturm to fill its magazine when players secure a kill with its sidearm companion, Drang. Sturm’s high handling and reload speed make it a joy to use, and its unique perks make it a force to be reckoned with.
Crimil’s Dagger
Crimil’s Dagger is a legendary 120 RPM hand cannon obtained from the Iron Banner. With the right rolls, such as Rangefinder and Kill Clip, this hand cannon becomes a powerhouse. It can deliver quick kills with a combination of head and body shots, and its handling and stability make it a reliable choice. Crimil’s Dagger finds its place in the S tier due to its versatility and potential for massive damage.
True Prophecy
True Prophecy is a legendary 120 RPM hand cannon that resembles the infamous Steady Hand. It offers solid base stats and a good perk pool. One of its standout perks is Timed Payload, which deals damage over time to enemies. True Prophecy’s versatility and excellent roll potential secure its place in the S tier.
A Tier
The A tier includes hand cannons that are still very powerful and competitive but have slightly lower overall performance compared to the S-tier weapons.
Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades is an exotic 140 RPM hand cannon that is beloved by many Destiny 2 players. It has impressive stats, including high range and stability. Its unique perk, Memento Mori, enhances its damage after a kill, allowing for devastating shots. While it lacks the range advantage of 120 RPM hand cannons, Ace of Spades still holds its own in most situations.
Hawkmoon
Hawkmoon is an exotic 140 RPM hand cannon that has a unique perk, “Paracausal Shot.” This perk stacks up with every headshot or kill, leading to a powerful damage buff on the last shot of your magazine. Hawkmoon offers a satisfying gameplay experience and has good base stats. While it falls slightly behind the top-tier options, it still holds its ground and is a favorite among many players.
Ancient Gospel
Ancient Gospel is a legendary 140 RPM energy hand cannon obtained from the Garden of Salvation raid. It has decent overall stats and a solid perk pool. Rapid Hit and Kill Clip is a notable perk combination that makes this hand cannon shine. While it may not be the absolute best, Ancient Gospel remains a reliable choice for any Guardian.
The Palindrome
The Palindrome is a legendary 140 RPM hand cannon introduced in the Season of the Chosen. It boasts the highest base stats among all 140 RPM hand cannons and can roll with excellent perks like Killing Wind and Rangefinder. With its exceptional precision and reliable damage output, The Palindrome is a solid option for players looking for a reliable hand cannon.
Dire Promise
Dire Promise is a legendary 140 RPM hand cannon that was introduced in the Season of the Chosen. It has an impressive aim assist stat, making it easier to hit shots consistently. With the right perks, such as Rangefinder and Opening Shot, Dire Promise can excel in both PvP and PvE. While it may not have the range advantage of 120 RPM hand cannons, it still offers great performance and versatility.
The Steady Hand
The Steady Hand is a legendary 120 RPM hand cannon obtained from the Iron Banner. It has a range of excellent perks that can enhance its performance, such as Iron Grip and Slideshot. While it may not have the same overall effectiveness as the top-tier hand cannons, The Steady Hand still offers a reliable and enjoyable gameplay experience.
B Tier
The B tier includes hand cannons that are still decent options but lack the overall effectiveness and performance of the higher tiers.
Nation of Beasts
Nation of Beasts is a legendary 140 RPM hand cannon obtained from the Last Wish raid. While it may not have the best stats or perk pool, it still offers a solid performance. It can roll with perks like Rampage, which can greatly enhance its damage output. While it may not be the best option available, it is still a reliable choice for players looking for a decent hand cannon.
Sunshot
Sunshot is an exotic 150 RPM hand cannon that stands out from the rest due to its explosive rounds and unique sound effects. While it may have lower range and stability compared to other hand cannons, it still offers an enjoyable gameplay experience. Sunshot’s perk, Sun Blast, causes enemies to explode on death, making it satisfying to mow down groups of enemies.
Thorn
Thorn is an exotic 140 RPM hand cannon with a unique perk, “Mark of the Devourer,” which deals damage over time to tagged enemies. While it may not have the best range or stability, Thorn’s unique perk makes it a formidable weapon in both PvP and PvE. It also has a unique aesthetic and sound design, making it a favorite among many players.
Waking Vigil
Waking Vigil is a legendary 140 RPM hand cannon introduced in the Season of the Chosen. It has decent base stats and a good range of perks. While it may not be the top choice for hand cannons, it still offers a solid performance. With the right rolls, such as Opening Shot or Snapshot, Waking Vigil can be a reliable option for Guardians.
C Tier
The C tier includes hand cannons that are of moderate performance. While they may not be the best options available, they can be used for fun and entertaining gameplay.
Ikelos_HC_V1.0.2
Ikelos_HC_V1.0.2 is a legendary 180 RPM energy hand cannon. While it may not have the best range or stability, it still offers a unique perk combination. Ikelos_HC_V1.0.2 has access to perks like High Impact Reserves and Slideshot, making it a fun and versatile option for players looking for a different playstyle.
The Last Word
The Last Word is an exotic 225 RPM hand cannon with a unique playstyle. While it may not have the best range or stability, it offers a unique hip-fire playstyle that rewards skilled players. Its exotic perk, Fan Fire, allows for rapid hip-fire shots, but it requires practice and skill to land consecutive shots consistently. The Last Word is a favorite among players who enjoy its unique gameplay style.
Lumina
Lumina is an exotic 150 RPM hand cannon with a supportive function. While it may not have the best range or damage output, its exotic perk, “Blessing of the Sky,” can heal and empower teammates. Lumina shines in a team scenario, allowing players to support their allies with healing and damage buffs. While it may not be the top choice for solo play, it provides a unique and supportive playstyle.
D Tier
The D tier includes hand cannons that have poor overall performance and are not recommended for competitive gameplay.
Crimson
Crimson is an exotic 386 RPM three-shot-burst hand cannon. While it may have unique perks and an interesting burst fire mechanic, it falls short in terms of range and overall effectiveness. Its burst fire mechanic limits its peek-shot capability, one of the defining features of hand cannons. While it may still provide a fun and enjoyable gameplay experience, it lacks the overall performance to compete with higher-tier options.
Posterity
Posterity is a legendary 180 RPM hand cannon obtained from the Deep Stone Crypt raid. While it has decent base stats and perk options, it falls short in terms of overall performance. Its model size and recoil animation hinder visibility and make it less desirable compared to other hand cannons. It may still provide an entertaining experience, but it lacks the overall effectiveness of higher-tier weapons.
Malfeasance
Malfeasance is an exotic 180 RPM hand cannon with a unique perk, “Explosive Shadow,” that causes targets to explode when five slugs hit them. While it has unique perks and an interesting exotic perk, it falls short in terms of range and overall effectiveness. Its damage output is not as competitive as other hand cannons, and its recoil animation can obstruct visibility. While it may still provide a fun and unique gameplay experience, it lacks the performance to compete with higher-tier options.
Nature of the Beast
Nature of the Beast is a legendary 180 RPM hand cannon with average base stats and perk options. While it may still offer a reasonable performance, it falls short compared to other hand cannons in terms of overall effectiveness. Its precision frame archetype obstructs visibility and limits the peek-shot ability of hand cannons. While it may still provide an enjoyable gameplay experience, it lacks the performance to compete with higher-tier options.
Seventh Seraph Officer Revolver
Seventh Seraph Officer Revolver is a legendary 180 RPM hand cannon that falls short in terms of overall performance. While it has decent base stats and perk options, it lacks the range and overall effectiveness of higher-tier options. Its recoil animation can obstruct visibility, and its damage output is not as competitive as other hand cannons. While it may still provide some enjoyment, it is not recommended for competitive gameplay.
Eriana’s Vow
Eriana’s Vow is an exotic hand cannon that stands out from the rest. It uses special ammo instead of primary ammo, making it a unique weapon in the game. Eriana’s Vow has incredible damage potential and emits fire from the barrel, making it a fearsome weapon to behold. While it is not included in our tier list due to its unique nature, it is undoubtedly an S-tier weapon in terms of power and effectiveness.
In conclusion, the Destiny 2 Hand Cannon Tier List for 2023 provides a comprehensive ranking of the best hand cannons in the game. Whether you’re a PvP or PvE player, there is a hand cannon on this list for you. Remember to consider the weapon’s stats, perks, and overall performance when choosing the best hand cannon for your playstyle. Happy hunting, Guardians!
